English Premier League Week 8 Weekend Review: Chelsea, Manchester United Held To Draws While Liverpool Fall To Everton In Merseyside Derby

While Manchester United are used to dropping points on the road this season, they certainly aren’t used to dropping them at Old Trafford. While United still haven’t lost this season, when up 2-0 against West Bromwich Albion at the half on Saturday, no wonder supporters seem a bit down about the club’s title hopes. The Busby Babe muses over their team’s draw at home

For more on the draw with West Brom, as well as thoughts on Wayne Rooney’s possible exit, visit SB Nation’s Manchester United blog, The Busby Babe.

While Blackpool dominated much of the first half of Manchester City’s visit to Bloomfield Road, both attacking the Citizens and keeping them away from goal, City fans never really doubted that their team would score. Danny Pugsley of Bitter and Blue shares his thoughts on the victory over the Tangerines:

For more on the weekend’s match, as well as player rankings, visit SB Nation’s Manchester City blog, Bitter and Blue

Fulham were handed their first loss of the season at home this weekend, when a controversial Tom Huddlestone goal was allowed to stand despite the linesman flagging William Gallas for being offside. Russ Goldman of Cottagers Confidential gives his thoughts on the Spurs win:

For more on the match against Tottenham, visit SB Nation’s Fulham blog, Cottagers Confidential.

With their new owners watching at Goodison Park, Liverpool had to be hoping for a good showing against Everton. Instead, the Reds barely made an impression in the first half, and barely threatened in the second. Royal Blue Mersey had this to say about Everton’s dominance:

For more on the Everton win over Liverpool, visit SB Nation’s Everton blog, Royal Blue Mersey.

For a full recap of Chelsea’s draw with Aston Villa, as well as an analysis of play and a wonderfully designed formation chart, visit SB Nation’s Chelsea blog, We Ain’t Got No History.

Had Stephen Ireland not missed by inches, or Nigel Reo-Coker gone just wide, or even if Petr Cech hadn’t parried away John Carew’s shot, Aston Villa could have beaten Chelsea at Villa Park for the second season in a row. Yet neither the squad nor the supporters should be displeased with a draw, but rather should be encouraged by the progress being made by Gerard Houllier, according to Aaron Campeau at 7500 to Holte.

For more on the Villa-Chelsea match, as well as details on Marc Albrighton’s sleeping habits and how to buy an Aston Villa toothbrush, visit SB Nation’s Aston Villa blog, 7500 to Holte.

Be honest, Arsenal fans: How often have you heard a version of this sentiment, laid out by Ted Harwood in The Short Fuse’s match report?:

Fortunately, despite that lack of finishing, Arsenal did beat Birmingham City and remain third in the table. For more on Saturday’s match, visit SB Nation’s Arsenal blog, The Short Fuse.

To look at the top five in Premier League football is to believe that little has changed-after all, these are the teams most were predicting to be in those slots before the season began. Yet surprises remain in the top division of English football.